Loose Ends, 12-26-08

Peter the Anteater wants to give wannabe Ivy Leaguers a shot at tuition-free law school. The new law school at the University of California, Irvine is reviewing applications to “offer full scholarships to all 60 members of its inaugural class in 2009.” Officially making law school the most affordable thing to do in Orange County. [Associated Press]

Losing headlines to the more-expensive Madoff scandal, it’s being revealed that Manhattan lawyer Marc Dreier is likely the more audacious of the two. He allegedly pulled off some stunts so crazy that you can’t help but almost admire him. [Bloomberg]

“An attorney for convicted fundraiser Tony Rezko is listed as the owner and taxpayer for Barack Obama’s Chicago mansion. You can read the story here if you can look past all the Ann Coulter book ads. [World News Daily]

In a gesture of “withholding love” generally perfected by disapproving mothers, many major donors are canceling further contributions after the controversial firing of Duquesne University Law School dean, Donald J. Guter. [The New York Times]

2008 certainly wasn’t a great year for law firms, but client fee collections will determine the real severity of the situation. “And because of the number of M&A deals that fell through, experts expect clients to balk at fees charged for deals that never got done.” So many firms may be writing off into the sunset. [Legal Blog Watch]